Asian stocks open mixed

Asian stock indices opened the fourth session of the week mixed, with China, Australia, and Hong Kong down, while Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea gained ground, following earlier Asian data while US talks on the Covid financial relief bill reach a dead end. 

Earlier Japanese data showed producer prices rose 0.6% in July, same as June, and besting estimates of 0.3%. 

Earlier Australian data showed an index tracking consumer confidence up 3.3% in August, improving from 3.2% in July, while unemployment hit 22 year high at 7.5%. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 1.10% to 1,623, while Nikkei 225 rose 1.88% to 23,272. 

China's CSI 300 shed 0.32% to 4,632, while Shanghai slipped 0.05% to 3,317. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched down 0.24% to 25,183, while South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.80% to 2,451. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.28%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.71% to 6,088.